The fall semester at CSUN officially kicked off on Aug. 25, and with it, students are preparing for classes with a mix of excitement, nerves and, in some cases, last-minute prep.

Whether they begin preparing the night before or a week in advance, CSUN students find their own ways to manage the emotions that accompany a new semester.

For junior Nicole Rosales, her preparation is simple and stress-free due to having already experienced the college back-to-school process.

“I don’t really get nervous anymore since it’s my third year,” Rosales said. “I just get kind of tired because I have to commute here.”

To ensure her week runs smoothly, she plans her outfits ahead of time to avoid hectic mornings and locates her classes the night before.

First-year student Samantha Torres has a different approach to her back-to-school preparations.

“The one thing I absolutely have to do is my skincare routine,” said Torres. “I can be, like, 10 minutes late, but I’m not leaving the house without my skincare and makeup done.”

As a commuter, Torres has already familiarized herself with the campus, so she does not worry about getting used to the environment. Instead, she prioritizes feeling clean and awake, because that’s what helps her focus the most.

“If I feel gross at school, I know I won’t have a good day,” Torres said.

For sophomore Nataly Valdez, her preparation begins long before school starts.

“In high school, I always did things last minute and it would never really work out. So now, in college, I try to be early and on top of everything,” said Valdez.

About a week before school starts, Valdez creates her own study schedule to ensure she sets enough time for academics while also having free time. Additionally, she reorganizes her room to start the semester off clean.

“Now I’m a very scheduled person, so I know when I’m going to study and when I have time to be on my phone,” Valdez said. “Starting off the semester with a clean room and a schedule makes me feel like I’m already in the middle of the semester, so I don’t start off without motivation.”